A guideline to disorders and behavior manifestations and their application to the characters, Hannibal Lector and Buffalo Bill, in the movie, "Silence of the Lambs" (1991).
Abstract Defining mental disorders and subsequent behaviors through the DSM-IV-TR (2000) and associated research is a daunting task indeed. Applying these disorders to the characters, Hannibal Lector and Buffalo Bill, in the movie "The Silence of the Lambs" (1991), requires critical and analytical thinking about mental disorders, etiology of the disorders, and subsequent behaviors as a result. This paper presents a discussion of the disorders using a variety of information in the literature and then presents the key behaviors in a comprehensive table for ease of possible diagnosis. Finally, these defined behaviors are applied to Hannibal Lector and Buffalo Bill in an attempt to give a picture of how these two characters became who they are.
Table of Contents
List of Tables
Introduction
Component I: Disorders and Behavioral Manifestations Guide.
Schizophrenia
Conduct Disorder
Antisocial Personality Disorder
Paranoid Personality Disorder
Borderline Personality Disorder
Histrionic Personality Disorder
Narcissistic Personality Disorder
Exhibitionism Paraphilia
Fetishism Paraphilia
Frotteurism Paraphilia
Voyeurism Paraphilia
Pedophilia
Hebephilia
Component II: Assign Disorders to the Characters Hannibal Lector and Buffalo Bill
Component III: Identify probable Etiology of the Disorder
References
From the Paper "Component I of this paper is a general guideline of 13 mental disorders, each followed by a comprehensive checklist of behaviors that meet the criterion for each mental disorder. Component II of this paper is where the guideline is utilized in assigning disorders to the characters Hannibal Lector and Buffalo Bill, in the movie The Silence of the Lambs, (1991). Finally, component III mergers the general guideline with the diagnoses of Hannibal Lector and Buffalo Bill and presents a picture as to the etiology of the disorders and the resulting behaviors observed. This will then give a picture as to precursor and probable subsequent behaviors."
Abstract This paper describes the Battle of Cannae in great detail using powerful verbs and statements that depict the battle. The paper shows the genius of Hannibal and his ability to master the art of military leadership. The paper explores Hannibal's Carthaginian roots and examines his military leadership prowess that culminated in the Battle of Cannae. The paper highlights Hannibal as the finest Carthaginian general ever known.
From the Paper "Hannibal Baraca, a descendant from a prominent Carthaginian family, led the Carthaginian army into the heart of the Roman Empire, and he struck fear into the hearts of the Roman peoples for many years. The battle of Cannae would be the culmination of Hannibal's abilities as a General, and in this battle Hannibal's army butchered the biggest Roman army to date that mustered around 80,000 men by some accounts. Chabrais once had these words to say about leadership, " An Army of deer led by a lion is more to be feared than an army of lions led by a deer". There is no doubt that Hannibal was a lion, but the other advantage Hannibal had was that his men were seasoned savages that fought like wild beasts on the battlefield bringing total destruction to their enemies. According to Brian Caven, "with the death of Hasdrubal and the succession of Hannibal ... The Army of Spain passed from the control of a mature statesman, ... into that of an impetuous young man in whom the principal motivating force was a burning desire for military glory"(85). Hannibal Baraca, the finest Carthaginian general ever known, feared by his enemies, would have his finest hour as a General at the battle of Cannae."
Abstract This paper uses Livy's book "The War with Hannibal," to examine the early history of the Roman empire. Livy wrote during the time of Augustus and Julius Caesar, and his personal bias must be taken into account when looking at his portrayal of history. The author looks at the causes of the Second Punic War, the history, people and politics that shaped the decisions that were made during this war.
From the Paper "Having the one hundred fifty thousand man advantage, Rome sent half of its men to present day Spain, more specifically Masillia, and the other half the Apian Way (which was a military transport road) to fight the war in Africa. The goal of the Romans march to Spain was to conquer some of their wealth and supply of natural resources. The goal of their march to Africa was to conquer the city of Carthage and take over its government."
Abstract This paper presents a diagnostic assessment of Hannibal Lecter as a patient. It first describes his presenting problem and social history. The paper then discusses the diagnosis of dissociative disorder for Lecter and describes the treatment options that are available. It specifically focuses on a combination of imagery-based techniques, cognitive restructuring, self-control procedures and real-life performance-based techniques.
Table of Contents:
Presenting Problem
Social History
Diagnosis
Treatment
From the Paper "Real-life performance-based techniques are frequently used in settings such as institutions and prisons (Mandery, 2005), therefore this treatment, combined with the above will probably be very successful with the patient. Dr. Chilton appears to have used a form of this therapy on the patient, however in the negative sense: Dr. Chilton dealt punishment for bad behavior, however, good behavior or cooperation was not rewarded. The reverse of Dr. Chilton's approach will likely be successful treatment with Dr. Lecter. If he cooperates and shows improvement in his behavior, he will be rewarded with a small token such as a new book, special meal, etc. will rely on a psychiatric aide to ensure that the patient's behavior and rewards are monitored, to ensure direct contact with the patient. Although Dr. Lecter may attempt to manipulate the situation to get rewards, the fact that through manipulation he is changing his behavior is positive because his behavior permanently change in the process."
An examination of the role of classical Hollywood techniques in developing the relationship between Clarice Starling and Dr. Hannibal Lecter in the film "The Silence of the Lambs".
Abstract This paper examines how classical Hollywood cinema techniques such as narration, camera angles and lighting aid in the development of the relationship between the protagonists Clarice Starling and Hannibal Lecter in the film "The Silence of the Lambs". It evaluates how classical narration develops the relationship which changes from an impersonal to a more personal one, as Clarice Starling, an FBI agent, struggles to solve a problem to which Dr. Hannibal Lecter provides the answer. It also looks at how in all four of their encounters, the camera shots move from low and high-angle shots to those of eye-level shots signifying how the relationship changes from one of superiority to one of equality.
From the Paper "In The Silence of the Lambs camera angles are another classical Hollywood technique that helps in developing the relationship between Starling and Dr. Lecter. In their first of four encounters, low-angle shots and high-angle shots were used. "With low-angle shots, in which the camera looks up at the action or person, the audience assumes that the person looking up is inferior to what they are looking at" (Belton 45). In the first encounter the low-angle shot was used subtly, not to the extreme as in other movies. An example of a low-angle shot is when Starling is talking and the camera breaks to Dr. Lecter, showing him slightly higher. High-angle shots are used as well."
Abstract This paper compares the horror novels of Edgar Allen Poe and Thomas Harris's "Silence of the Lambs". It describes the iconic character of evil Hannibal Lecter and the great success of this character, which seems to live beyond the confounds of the written word. The author examines Poe's classic poem "The Raven" and its chilling and ambiguous reality. The paper also explores the life of Poe.
From the Paper "Poe has delved into the human spirit at a time when the idea of the unconscious mind had probably either not evolved, or had just been described and was not commonly known. In his stories of horror, Poe explored in depth the human psyche. Poe was a critic of rationalism but at the same time he was a master in the art of constructing, logically, the irrational "rationale" for crime committed by his characters. Poe lived a difficult and rather impoverished life, and was himself often given to alcoholism in his private life and the narrator's fears and contradictions that the author describes are something he might have experienced himself."
Abstract This paper examines how when Thomas Harris' 1988 novel "The Silence of the Lambs" was to be converted into film by director Jonathan Demme, there was an apparent theme of character identities and relationships as determined by gender which he interpreted from imaginative literature to visual cinema. It looks at how these characters, which were each inevitably altered in their own different ways by the artistic rendition of the novel, are therefore presented differently. The protagonist, a young female FBI trainee from rural West Virginia named Clarice Starling, is sent to interview the imprisoned serial killer psychiatrist Dr. Hannibal Lecter in order to better understand the mind of a mad man. But she instead finds herself in a race against time to save a young innocent girl and capture the fledgling serial killer known as Buffalo Bill. It looks at how though the story seems simple enough, the complexities of identity among these characters presents mysterious subtleties, as they try to stretch the boundaries of what defines their gender's role in society.
From the Paper "Buffalo Bill, though a small character in both the novel and the film, is an excellent tool for understanding Clarice, as he parallel's her own confusion of identity of gender. Both Clarice and Bill, in the novel and film, dislike their past identities and are trying to construct new one. Clarice strains to hide her pure West Virginian accent and the fact that people would consider her, if they knew her true identity, a "rube". Buffalo Bills confusion about his identity stems from the fact, as Hannibal explains to Clarice, that he was abused as a child, and because of that never formed an actual realization of who he was, or even what gender meant to him. "
Abstract This paper focuses on the pride of the participants in the Punic Wars; notably Hannibal Barca and Scipio. It discusses the wars and the tactics used. The writer looks at the leaders and the results of all three wars involved in the period. Through several resources within the paper the concept of pride is addressed as a mitigating factor for both leaders.
From the Paper "Lasting one hundred and eighteen years, the Punic Wars pitted two primary countries against each other - Carthage and Rome. Beginning after both countries were simultaneously called to the aid of Messina, the First Punic War began with a battle for Sicily. Referencing the Italian name for Carthaginian's, punici, (of Phoenician ancestry) the Punic Wars were named. In Sicily Carthage was suspected of plotting to gain control over the land, and the Roman sense of loyalty to all of its Italian lands was immense. Romans entered this battle against Carthage believing that this devotion to their country would allow them to prevail, for no other people knew what it meant to be consumed by such pride."
Abstract This paper discusses the novel "Silence of the Lambs" and explains how Hannibal Lecter the fictional character is a perfect example of both criminology as well as deviance
From the Paper "Criminology being the study of the criminal mind is exactly what Silence of the Lambs is, they give you a look at Dr. Hannibal Lecter first hand. You get the opportunity to see how his mind works, and see that in his eyes he is doing something good for society. He believes that he is ridding the world of bad people; you also get to see what makes him tick. Lecter knew how far he could push the police without killing the innocent Catherine Martin. "
Tags: criminology, criminals, deviance, police, class
This paper analyzes Martin Luther's role in Western Civilization, comparing his achievements with other influential historical figures such as Alexander the Great, Jesus, Muhammad and Magellan.
Abstract This paper looks at five significant historical figures (Alexander the Great, Hannibal, Jesus, Muhammad, and Magellan) and compares their accomplishments and influence to those of Martin Luther. The paper's thesis question is: Was Martin Luther a bad ass? This question is answered on a historical basis as his actions and achievements are categorized and compared with the five individuals listed above. It also looks at Luther's achievement in 21st Century frame of mind. It focuses on his last influence in all aspects of modern life.
From the Paper "Carter Lindberg states in his book The European Reformations, ?An initial move to control the complicated and multifaceted reality of the Reformation is to define the terms used for it and the era it covers.? In order to secure Luther in the annuals of history as a "bad ass", one must not only clarify the characteristics of that title, but also view his accomplishments in a 21st Century frame of reference. First, it should be determined which historical figures might fall into the category of being labeled a ?bad ass.? At this point, the common characteristics of a historical "bad ass" will become evident. Second, after determining these characteristics, they then must be applied to Luther and the result will be forthcoming."
Tags: civilization, luther, martin, reformation, western
From the Paper "This research paper describes and discusses the military skills of Hannibal, which he displayed during the course of his campaigns and battles against Rome during the Second Punic War (218-200 B. C.). Throughout that war Hannibal demonstrated that he was a tactical military genius. He was also an extraordinarily effective field commander and leader of his coalition army. His initial strategy against the Romans was sound; however, its execution eventually became flawed due to Hannibal's failure to exploit fully his initial successes in Italy, Rome's political stability and staying power, the able generalship of Hannibal's principal adversary after 209 B. C., Consul Publius Scipio, and various accidents of fate."
Abstract This paper discusses the general difference between books and movies made of those books. Thomas Harris's book, "The Silence of the Lambs" is examined in comparison to the movie of the same title. The writer points out the differences between reading the book and seeing the movie. The paper describes the emotions experienced by the reader, as opposed to the viewer.
From the Paper "In the movie, FBI trainee Clarice Starling (played by Jodie Foster) is recruited by the Bureau's behavioral sciences unit to help track down one serial killer by getting inside the head of another who's already behind bars?the notorious Hannibal "the Cannibal" Lecter (played by Anthony Hopkins), a brilliant but psychopathic psychiatrist. In a series of riveting interviews, Starling reveals personal details about her past to Lecter in exchange for information that may snare ?Buffalo Bill,? the murderer who flays his female victims. Tensions escalate when Bill kidnaps the daughter of a U.S. senator and Lecter plots an escape (TV Guide Online, 2002). There is absolutely no doubt that this was a tense, riveting movie with superb acting, stellar direction, and brilliant photography. However, as good as this movie is, it still falls short of the novel. Most movie adaptations of novels are just not as good as the original, and The Silence of the Lambs is no exception."
Abstract This paper shall provide a film review of the modern classic "Silence of the Lambs" in the form of a technical paper. This paper shall review this film - and especially the character of Dr. Hannible Lecter - according to the diagnostic criteria outlined in the DMS- IV ("American Psychiatric Association: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders", fourth edition). Lecter will be explored as a "psychopath", even though this particular term does not yet appear in the DMS- IV yet is now common in the other available literature on criminal behaviors.
Abstract This paper explains that, like most modern authors of horror, Gaston Leroux professed Edgar Allan Poe to be his prime influence. The author points out that "Phantom of the Opera", which was first published as a serial in a newspaper in 1910 and negatively reviewed by the "New York Times", has been made into eighteen motion pictures, nine theater stagings and over a dozen works of novels and short stories were based on Leroux's creation. The author compares the changes in horror novels from Leroux's day to contemporary horror literature such as Susan Kay's "Phantom" (1990), in which Kay's aim is to evoke sympathy instead of Leroux's primary purpose to horrify the reader and Thomas Harris' "Silence of the Lambs" (1988) and its sequel "Hannibal" (2000), which are more psychological rather than purely physical as the physical horror of Erik's deformity.
From the Paper "Gaston Leroux studied law primarily to please his father. However, he never gave up his real dream: being a writer. Thus he began his writing career as a poet, publishing his work in local newspapers. This led to his position as dramatic critic in L'Echo de Paris. He then became a courtroom reporter, where his background in law served him well, and eventually became a worldwide correspondent. Leroux was an excellent reporter and traveled the world visiting countries such as Sweden, Finland, Egypt and Korea to find stories. The talent he cultivated in this way is evident in Phantom of the Opera, which is written in the style of a report. Although some did not find this appealing, the style of the novel is one of its assets."
A discussion of the study, "The Saints and The Roughnecks," by William J. Chambliss through three sociological theories - social exchange theory, symbolic interactionism and conflict theory.
Abstract This paper examines "The Saints and The Roughnecks," written by George Washington University Professor, William J. Chambliss. It discusses the study through an examination of three sociological theories - social exchange theory, symbolic interactionism and conflict theory- and it discusses these both for the town of Hannibal and universally.
From the Paper "Finally, Conflict Theory may be the theory that can be best applied to Chambliss' observations of The Saints and The Roughnecks. In Hannibal, the Conflict Theory can be applied to the obvious struggle that existed between The Saints and The Roughnecks. A conflict between the two groups was the motivation behind the different ways in which the groups were treated. According to Chambliss, if the police were to treat The Saints and The Roughnecks in a similar manner they would be "asking for trouble from the people in power." Although the police did not make a conscious decision to discriminate on the basis of class, according to Chambliss, the social struggle was such a prominent theme in the town that the police did not recognize their discrimination."
